Layout approval embroils RDA in fresh controversy

Citizen challenges approval of housing society linked to influential figure

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), already facing 143 illegal housing schemes and a Rs2 billion mega financial scandal, has landed in another controversy after approving the layout plan (LOP) of a housing society allegedly owned by the nephew of a high-profile personality, despite inclusion of land claimed by a private citizen and his family.

Following objections raised by the affected citizen and a demand for cancellation of the LOP, Director General RDA Kaniza Murtaza constituted a high-level inquiry committee to examine the matter.

According to sources, the RDA approved the layout plan of Hawks Melbourne Housing Society, located in Mouza Gora Bharta, Tehsil Rawalpindi, within the RDA-controlled area. The society is stated to be owned by the nephew of an influential figure.

In a written complaint submitted to RDA, Ali Asghar Kiyani son of Raja Ali Akbar, a resident of Mouza Gora Bharta, Tehsil and District Rawalpindi, claimed that his and his family's owned khasra numbers — amounting to 51 kanals and 17 marlas — had been included in the approved layout plan of the housing society. He demanded immediate cancellation of the approved LOP.

On December 6, 2025, DG RDA Kaniza Murtaza constituted an inquiry committee and directed it to submit a land verification and ownership determination report within 10 days, including a review of khasra numbers included in the approved LOP.

However, the committee — comprising the director finance, director town planning, deputy director IT, deputy director land development and naib tehsildar — has yet to submit its report.

Meanwhile, RDA has declared the approved layout plan of the said housing society as "under litigation" on its official website until the resolution of the dispute.

It is pertinent to note that before approving a housing society's layout plan, verification of ownership of the land by the society's owner is a mandatory requirement. In this case, it is alleged that the land ownership verification requirement was ignored due to the society's influence.

RDA spokesperson Hafiz Muhammad Irfan stated that Hawks Melbourne Housing Society was issued the LOP by the MP&T Directorate of RDA after verification and public notice through advertisement.